Ever wonder what some of the terms that petrol heads constantly use mean? Avoid the confusion with our glossary of racing terms! Expanded information on these topics can be found on Paddock Pal.
Term Synonyms Explanation “The Line” The line is the route around a course and through its corners which will enable the car to go the fastest. Different cars require different approaches to stay on the line. The most important corners are those leading to the longest straights. (Brake) Caliper Brakes, Caliper A form of brake in which a pair of arms, carrying brake pads, move inwards and press on the the rotor. (Brake) Pads Brakes, Pads Thin blocks (of varying compounds) that grip the rotor in a caliper brake system. (Brake) Rotors Brakes, Rotors, Disc, Brake Disc The disc that revolves while the car is in motion in a caliper based brake system. Acceleration N/A The addition of speed, normally caused by an engine either pulling or pushing a vehicle Aerodynamics The science dealing with a car passing through the air All Wheel Drive AWD, 4×4, Quattro, Syncro Vehicle configuration where power is distributed to all four wheels to create motion. Alternator An on board generator that produces an alternating current, to keep your battery fully charged during the operation of a vehicle. Anti-lock Braking System ABS Anti-lock braking system is an automobile safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. Apex The center point of a turn with respect to entering or exiting Battery Generally a lead-acid storage battery in a motor vehicle; with a 12-volt battery of six cells; the heart of the car’s electrical system. Battery (AGM) VLRA, Maintenance Free, Gel, Sealed Battery, SLA A VRLA battery (valve-regulated lead-acid battery), more commonly known as a sealed battery (SLA) or maintenance free battery, is a type of lead-acid rechargeable battery. Due to their construction, the Gel and AGM types of VRLA can be mounted in any orientation, and do not require constant maintenance. Battery (Dry-cell) A cell in which the electrolyte exists in the form of a paste, is absorbed in a porous medium, or is otherwise restrained from flowing. Battery (Lead-Acid) A lead acid battery is a secondary cell, meaning that it is rechargeable. It is very common in cars and trucks. It contains plates of lead and lead(IV) oxide in a sulfuric acid solution. The lead(IV) oxide oxidizes the lead plate, making an electrical current. Brake Modulation Easing off of the brakes slightly when you feel the wheels locking then reapplying the brakes. ABS does this automatically. Camber The tilt of the wheel from the vertical, viewed head on. Positive Camber means the top of the wheel leans away from the vehicle centerline. Negative camber has the wheel leaning toward the centerline. Any wheel camber has two effects. A wheel tends to run in a circular path toward the direction in which it leans, and any time a wheel is not running at a right angle with the road surface, the flat of the tread is not fully in contact with the road. Since a vehicle tends to lean away from a turn due to centrifugal force and the wheels tend to lean with it, negative camber is sometimes used so that the thread is flat on the road surface when it is on the outside of a corner. This is when you most need the traction. Carburetor Carb A device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with a fine spray of liquid fuel. Caster The more-or-less vertical axis about which a wheel rotates during steering. When the top of this axis leans toward the rear, like the front fork of a motorcycle, it is positive caster. The primary effect of positive caster is that the tire contact patch on the pavement trails behind the point at which this axis contacts the pavement. This causes the wheels to tend to follow the caster axis and run straight or return to straight ahead after a turn. Center of Gravity The center point at which the vehicle will balance Centrifugal Force The force towards the outside of the circle Centripetal Force The force towards the inside of the circle Cornering Driving in an arc predetermined by either limiting barrier such as a pylon, or be mental design on the part of the driver Deceleration The slowing of a vehicle, normally done by applying braking pressure Diesel (engine) An internal combustion engine in which heat produced by the compression of air in the cylinder is used to ignite the fuel Dipstick A graduated rod for measuring the depth of a liquid, especially oil in a vehicle’s engine. Term Synonyms Explanation
